Pulling espresso into crystal/glass, chance of breakage?
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Milligan
I have some nice crystal that I wouldn't mind using from time to time with espresso drinks but didn't know if the discharge temperature was enough to cause breakage with that type of glass. I know some places use Libbey glasses even though the manufacturer suggests not using with hot beverages. Curious if anyone here has run into issues with crystal and glass use with espresso and steamed milk? It would likely be best to preheat them on top of the espresso machine so they aren't going from room temp to espresso discharge temperature.
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baldheadracing
- Team HB
I probably wouldn't worry about it unless your glasses are actual lead crystal. (Coffee will leach lead out of the glass.)
The 4.5oz Libbey Gibralter rocks glass - the glass used for the "Gibralter" cortado-ish drink - is made of "Duratuff" glass and can take thermal shock, commercial dishwashers, etc.
The 4.5oz Libbey Gibralter rocks glass - the glass used for the "Gibralter" cortado-ish drink - is made of "Duratuff" glass and can take thermal shock, commercial dishwashers, etc.
-"Good quality brings happiness as you use it" - Nobuho Miya, Kamasada
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Milligan (original poster)
Ah yes this would be lead crystal. It is vintage Waterford and some Bacarat. I've known about not keeping spirits in leaded glass decanters for long periods of time due to leaching but didn't think there would be enough time to have any leeching for normal beverage usage. Interesting stuff. Do you happen to have a link that I can read about the coffee and lead issue?
Maybe I should get some Libbey Gibraltars to satisfy the heavy glass itch...
Maybe I should get some Libbey Gibraltars to satisfy the heavy glass itch...
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baldheadracing
- Team HB
Another lead crystal fan 
.
First on the "hot drink" side - the thinner the crystal, the more you have to worry about breakage. There used to be crystal coffee mugs! Also, if there are a lot of "cuts" in the glass like on typical Waterford crystal, then that leads to thin areas next to thicker ones, which can also lead to breakage.
Next, leaching. Anything acidic will leach lead out of crystal. Coffee is not as acidic as wine, but it is still acidic - it is not coffee, or wine, or whiskey, or cola soft drinks, etc., it is acidity that counts. The more acidity, the greater the rate of leaching (although cola seems worse than just its acidity).
The most-commonly-cited research is from 30+ years ago and said storage was bad, but drinking occasionally (not daily) was sort of okay. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1670790/ This is now viewed as too broad. Now there is no safe level for lead exposure.
Searching on Medline (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) has an article showing that one minute in the cup has 50% of the lead that would be leached in a half-hour, and 30% of the lead that would be leached in 24 hours. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8885316/
FWIW, I do the 24hr 1:1 vinegar (acid) soak with new-to-me lead crystal, and then only rinse the crystal in basic (higher pH) water - which is also my espresso machine water. No soap or detergent. If the crystal needs more cleaning than just water then I'll use 1:4 vinegar solution. I only drink out of lead crystal about ten times a year. YMMV.
.First on the "hot drink" side - the thinner the crystal, the more you have to worry about breakage. There used to be crystal coffee mugs! Also, if there are a lot of "cuts" in the glass like on typical Waterford crystal, then that leads to thin areas next to thicker ones, which can also lead to breakage.
Next, leaching. Anything acidic will leach lead out of crystal. Coffee is not as acidic as wine, but it is still acidic - it is not coffee, or wine, or whiskey, or cola soft drinks, etc., it is acidity that counts. The more acidity, the greater the rate of leaching (although cola seems worse than just its acidity).
The most-commonly-cited research is from 30+ years ago and said storage was bad, but drinking occasionally (not daily) was sort of okay. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1670790/ This is now viewed as too broad. Now there is no safe level for lead exposure.
Searching on Medline (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) has an article showing that one minute in the cup has 50% of the lead that would be leached in a half-hour, and 30% of the lead that would be leached in 24 hours. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8885316/
FWIW, I do the 24hr 1:1 vinegar (acid) soak with new-to-me lead crystal, and then only rinse the crystal in basic (higher pH) water - which is also my espresso machine water. No soap or detergent. If the crystal needs more cleaning than just water then I'll use 1:4 vinegar solution. I only drink out of lead crystal about ten times a year. YMMV.
-"Good quality brings happiness as you use it" - Nobuho Miya, Kamasada
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Milligan (original poster)
I am a fan of nice crystal. My grandmother got me into the joy of crystal. I do not use it often but from time to time it is nice to use it. I'm not too keen on getting a dose from espresso usage. I'll save my lead exposure for the handful of times a year I bring it down for a toast or whiskey drink. Modern Waterford is lead-free now, so perhaps purchasing a few newer models for more frequent use would be a good compromise.
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